Traffic kills 50,000 a year, it estimates, and intensive farming also damaged
the hedgehog’s rural habitats.

The trust’s Mammals on Roads survey logged sightings of dead hedgehogs on
250,000 miles of road, and found that although traffic had increased
substantially, the number of casualties fell from an average of 1.8 per
100kms in 2001 to 1.3 last year, suggesting a decline in population.

David Wembridge, of the trust, said: “In a few decades’ time, the hedgehog
might be under threat